Just 11 days earlier Liverpool had left White Hart Lane cursing their luck after somehow conspiring to lose a game they had dominated.

Last night the Reds tasted defeat again but this time it was purely self-inflicted after producing a performance so abject that it almost defied belief.

The understudies in Rafa Benitez’s squad who were given the chance to take centre stage against the Carling Cup holders hopelessly fluffed their lines.

Shoddy at the back, wasteful in midfield and toothless up front – the Reds were fortunate to only find themselves 3-0 down at the break after a wretched opening 45 minutes.

Things improved in the second half but then they could hardly have got much worse.

Of course, with the Reds flying high in the Premier League and on the verge of progressing in the Champions League, an early exit from the Carling Cup is hardly cause to reach for the panic button.

However, coming just 24 hours after Arsenal’s second string thrashed Wigan’s first choice line-up, it made a mockery of the idea that Benitez’s squad now has real strength in depth.

There were 10 changes from the weekend win over West Brom, with only Daniel Agger retained, but it was a line-up which still boasted eight full internationals.

One of them, Philipp Degen, had the kind of evening nightmares are made of with the Swiss right-back looking a liability from start to finish.

Prior to last night the extent of Degen’s contribution since arriving on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund was 73 unimpressive minutes against Crewe.

If Benitez was still pondering whether Degen can handle the Premier League, probably last night’s events made his mind up.

The defender looks so far out of his depth he needs armbands.

Alvaro Arbeloa may be suspended for Saturday’s trip to Bolton, but there’s surely no prospect of Degen appearing in his place.

Degen’s performance on the right at least took some of the heat off Andrea Dossena who suffered a torrid night against Aaron Lennon.

The inadequacies of the Reds’ full-backs left Hyypia and Agger hopelessly exposed and the only surprise was that it took Tottenham over half an hour to break the deadlock.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp had made seven changes himself following their weekend win at Manchester City – leaving out the likes of David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas, Luka Modric and Darren Bent.

But with wide men Jamie O’Hara and Lennon leading the way they always looked a cut above the Reds.

Spurs almost scored in the 19th minute but Agger bravely threw himself into the path of Lennon’s shot.

With Lucas and Damien Plessis struggling to impose themselves in midfield and Ryan Babel and Nabil El Zhar ineffective on the wings, possession was constantly tossed away.

It was a frustrating night for Fernando Torres who was making his first start for the Reds since October 5.

The Spaniard had to feed off scraps alongside rookie David Ngog and looked well off the pace before being substituted early in the second half.

Spurs’ first goal in the 38th minute was a perfect example of how not to defend as Fraizer Campbell was allowed to get to the byline and pick out the unmarked Roman Pavlyuchenko who rammed a left footer through Diego Cavalieri’s legs.

Rather than awake the Reds from their slumber the goal opened the floodgates as Spurs scored three times in seven minutes.

The second saw Cavalieri blot his copybook as he rushed out to claim O’Hara’s cross.

The keeper only succeeded in clattering into Dossena and gifted on-loan Manchester United striker Campbell a simple tap in.

More comedy defending was punished on the stroke of half-time.

Lennon whipped a cross to the far post and Dossena gave Campbell the freedom of the six yard box to plant a header past Cavalieri.

Passion and desire are qualities that should be forthcoming from any Liverpool side no matter who pulls on the shirt but in those opening 45 minutes they were sadly lacking.

A comeback of Istanbul proportions was required and hopes were briefly raised three minutes into the second half when Plessis grabbed his first goal for the Reds.

The French youngster benefited from some horrendous keeping from Heurelho Gomes to nod home Babel’s corner.

However, within three minutes Spurs’ three-goal lead had been restored as Didier Zokora’s deflected shot dropped to Pavlyuchenko who netted from close range.

Redknapp has been dubbed Harry Potter after the remarkable transformation in Spurs’ fortunes – this was their fifth win in six games since he took over.

However, his magic hasn’t worked on £8million keeper Gomes who helped the Reds reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute.

The Brazilian flapped at another Babel corner and skipper Hyypia was on hand to head home his first goal of the season.

Gomes’ night went from bad to worse soon after when a stray boot from Degen knocked him out and after six minutes of treatment he was stretchered off.

The introduction of Xabi Alonso in place of Plessis added some quality to the midfield but the Reds never looked like setting up a grandstand finish.

Degen’s misery continued when his pleas for a penalty were waved away after Gareth Bale’s challenge and he was finally replaced by former Reserves captain Stephen Darby.

It was Darby’s first team debut and the 20-year-old showed more ability in the final six minutes than Degen had done in the previous 84.